- July 05, 2021
A short overview on Illness Anxiety Disorder
Written by Hedie Lahijani
What is Illness Anxiety Disorder?
Health anxiety disorders are a widespread clinical and public health concern and are characterized by an intrusive concern with illness to the point that it has adverse effects on a person’s functionality in daily life. The diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) redefined hypochondriasis and other related disorders and are now replaced by illness anxiety disorder (IAD), and the more severe illness anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Illness anxiety disorder is seen in 6% of the population. Some researchers in the field define the disorder as a milder form of hypochondriasis and characterize it as a fear of rather than conviction of being sick. Hypochondria, now redefined as illness anxiety disorder or somatic symptom disorder, has been compared to panic disorder as well, and the understanding is that it is more pathological and distressful than panic disorder. It is also more frequently associated with a preoccupation with one’s body sensations, catastrophizing symptoms, and interpreting them as life-threatening.
A person with IAD has a maladaptive way of perceiving, evaluating, and responding to their own status of health, and it can be difficult for professionals to determine whether the worries are excessive or not. On the other hand, panic disorder is more frequently associated with fear of not being able to escape or get the help needed. People with any health anxiety disorder tend to fluctuate between either seeking or avoiding health information. At one end of the spectrum, they frequently check for reassurance about not having an illness or visit a doctor, and at the other end of the spectrum, they avoid check-ups or to visit the doctor. Patients with IAD are more likely than others to demand unnecessary medical treatments.
If you experience debilitating symptoms related to illness anxiety disorder, consult a mental health specialist for adequate and personalized guidance. Nonetheless, here is a list of symptoms on illness anxiety disorder:
· Being preoccupied with having or getting a serious disease or health condition
· Worrying that minor symptoms or body sensations mean you have a serious illness
· Being easily alarmed about your health status
· Finding little or no reassurance from doctor visits or negative test results
· Worrying excessively about a specific medical condition or your risk of developing a medical condition because it runs in your family
· Having so much distress about possible illnesses that it's hard for you to function
· Repeatedly checking your body for signs of illness or disease
· Frequently making medical appointments for reassurance — or avoiding medical care for fear of being diagnosed with a serious illness
· Avoiding people, places or activities for fear of health risks
· Constantly talking about your health and possible illnesses
· Frequently searching the internet for causes of symptoms or possible illnesses
(Illness Anxiety Disorder)
How does illness anxiety disorder develop?
Many people with health anxiety disorder suffer from intrusive mental images of sickness and death. The images reveal beliefs about themselves and about sickness and death, with themes related to isolation and abandonment. This can lead to misinterpretation of sensations in the body. Beliefs and behaviors of people with health anxiety disorder and other related disorders are often related to their experiences with illness in their childhood. Chronic illness in childhood might inhibit a child’s sense of independence, creating an identity of someone who needs care. A child who receives special attention for physical illness but not for other attention seeking behaviors, might grow up thinking that attention will only be given to symptoms of physical illness.
In such scenarios, the child learns to express emotional distress through complaints about something physical. Contrarily, if a person felt rejected and did not receive adequate care as a child during illness, the person may expect rejection from others when they are sick and can have a sense of not deserving care. If others react with irritation and hostility towards the person, the feeling of rejection will be reinforced. It may be beneficial for a clinician, friend, or family to adapt style of communication and provision of care to the person in need in a way that does not reaffirm feelings and thoughts developed from childhood experiences with illness. It is important to note that not all people with illness anxiety disorder can recall trauma related to illness from the past and/or there is not a clear connection. Also, even though stress can release symptoms of illness anxiety disorder, there might not always be a clear indicator of stress. Nonetheless, illness anxiety disorder may still be present, and the new diagnostic criteria enables the diagnosis to be made.
What is the treatment for illness anxiety disorder?
The IAD and SSD classifications help detect more cases of clinically significant health anxiety than with Hypochondriasis classification in the DSM-5 manual. This can optimize treatments and offer more adequate assistance to people with IAD. It has also helped some medical clinicians to feel relieved. However, it is important that medical professionals still take their patients’ health concerns seriously, offer differential diagnostic treatment and quality service and assistance, regardless of the new diagnostic classifications of health anxiety. A medical condition may be present, whether a person has illness anxiety disorder or not. Many have criticized the new diagnosis criteria to be overly broad and likely to lead to increased mental health diagnoses among people who indeed have a medical sickness. (DSM-5 redefines hypochondria)
Nonetheless, if you have significant symptoms related to illness anxiety disorder and it disrupts your daily life, you should consider seeking psychological assessment and treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy as well as acceptance and commitment therapy has proven to work well for treating illness anxiety disorder, also internet-based treatments. Research on illness anxiety disorder shows that it often co-occurs with other conditions such as general anxiety, depression and personality disorders, especially if the health anxiety is severe. Treating one symptom can often improve other symptoms. You can consult with a health professional about your concerns and specify the area of your life in which you would like to improve. It is also possible to get help with understanding the areas of your life that could benefit from more therapeutic focus and work.
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